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21st Century Abe

The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia

Recipient

Grant Year 2008

Grant Amount $200,000

Status Completed

Updated May 30, 2023

The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia produced 21st Century Abe, a web platform that interpreted Abraham Lincoln's legacy for and by a contemporary, online audience. The project was based on the Rosenbach's collection of rare and significant Lincoln materials, including drafts of his "House Divided" speech and the "Baltimore Address." The website presented a variety of scholarly and artistic interpretations of 30 documents and encouraged audiences to design their own interpretations of the texts. Project contributors included scholar Douglas Wilson, visual artist Maira Kalman, composer and rock musician Bryce Dessner, and media artists Archive (Anne Walsh and Chris Kubick).

Recipient

The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia

The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia opened to the public in 1954 and is located in the former home of brothers Philip and Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach, international dealers in rare books, manuscripts, and fine and decorative arts. Their Americana collections include letters and other writings of figures such as Washington, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Lincoln, Grant, and many lesser-known soldiers and citizens.

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